Public Meeting Minutes: August 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM - Budget Workshop

A. Call to order
Opening Statement

This meeting of the Board of Education of Elwood Public Schools is convened in open and public session on Thursday, August 20th, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the Elwood Public School library. The purpose of this meeting is to review and plan for the 2026-2027 Elwood Public School budget. Notice of this meeting was given in advance by publication in the Valley Voice, the posting of notice in at least 3 public locations and the Elwood Public Schools website. The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to members of the public. The Act is posted on top of the bookshelf on the south wall of the meeting room.
Copy of the Open Meeting Act:
The Board of Education makes available at least one current copy of the Open Meetings Act posted in the meeting room at a location accessible to the members of the public. The Act is posted on the South wall of the meeting room.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SPEAK: This is the portion of the meeting when members of the public may speak to the board about matters of public concern.

Getting Started: When you have been recognized, please stand and state your name.

Time Limit: The board will generally allow a total of 15 minutes for the presentation of all public comments. Individuals may speak only one time, and must limit comments to around 5 minutes. If there are more than 3 individuals who wish to address the board, the 15 minutes will be divided equally between the number of speakers. These time limits may be changed by a majority vote of the board members in attendance to extend the time for a specific item or speaker.

Personnel or Student Topic: If you are planning to speak about a personnel or a student matter involving an individual, please understand that the district has a complaint policy and/or procedures to resolve such complaints and concerns. The Board requests that you follow the policy and procedures before addressing these matters with the Board. Board members will generally not respond to any questions you ask or comments about individual staff members or students.

General Rules: This is a public meeting for the conduct of business. Comments from the audience while others are speaking will not be tolerated. Lewd, obscene, profane, slanderous, threatening and hostile conduct or statements and fighting words (words whose mere utterance entails a call to violence) will not be tolerated.

No Action by the Board: The board will not act on any matter unless it is on the published agenda.

Discussion: Motion to excuse Bryant and Kristy by Weissert seconded by Huyser. Motion passed 4-0-2

B. Public Comment

Discussion: No Public Comment

C. Review of effective tax levy.

Discussion: Discussion and review of the Effective Tax Rate. Information provided by information published on the Nebraska Department of Education website. Elwood Public School shows an effective levy of .267099.

D. Review District Valuation comparisons.

Discussion: Valuation comparisons were reviewed all the way back to 2015-2016. District valuation shows growth since 2015. 10% growth for 2026-2027.

E. Review District Tax Asking and Levy comparison.

Discussion: Discussion was held about Levy Comparison and Valuation examples were reviewed.

F. Discuss proposed budget for 2026-2027

Discussion: Proposed budget was discussed for 2026-2027. Thoughts about proceeding with the proposed budget were expressed and questions were answered by Supt. Hatch.

G. Adjournment

Discussion: Adjournment at 8:20 pm Motion by Moore seconded by Weissert. Motion carried 4-0-2

Minutes provided by Superintendent Hatch

August 20, 2026 at 7:30 PM - Budget Workshop

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